Things to Do off the Beaten Path in New Braunfels

Published on: June 20th, 2017

With summer approaching, the possibilities for activities in the area are growing, letting you take full advantage of parks, historic sites, restaurants, and more. While some New Braunfels attractions may be common or more obvious – such as going out to a nice meal or a local farmer’s market – others may not come to your mind at first. Here are just a handful of our favorite activities that will take you off the beaten path, including some things even those who have lived in the area for decades haven’t done.

Dine at the Freiheit Country Store

The Freiheit Country Store may sound like it should be an average general store, which leads many people to walk by it, but this isn’t the case. It has actually been open since 1889, meaning your great-grandparents could have shopped there! It may be a “store,” but the food is the real draw. The chicken fried steak is one of the best around, and you can enjoy some burgers. Save room for the homemade pie as well. The homemade chili is great in colder weather, so you may want to wait a few months to try it when summer ends. With live music available, you can also get some entertainment. The combination of food and music plus a picnic area actually makes this the perfect choice for a date night!

Shop at Rita’s Natural Food Market

While the Freiheit Country Store sounds like a store but isn’t, Rita’s Natural Food Market is what it sounds like. This is a favorite spot to get natural foods for good prices, making it easy to stay healthy. It’s family owned, and Rita and her husband are incredibly friendly. They are always up for a chat and willing to tell you about their farm, which was the first in East Texas of its kind to become Certified Organic. The idea for the market began with an annual Herb and Health Festival. As demand grew, they opened the store in 2009. It has been a go-to spot for those looking for a trip off of the beaten path since.

Spend a Day at Lake Dunlap

Yes, a lot of people in New Braunfels and the surrounding areas like to spend time with nature, but Lake Dunlap is one of the lesser-known treasures. This lake has an incredible quantity of fish, including sunfish, catfish, largemouth bass, and white crappie. It wasn’t formed naturally, though. The reservoir was the result of dam construction in 1931 that gave the area hydroelectric power. Most people will go here for fishing, but you can also go boating, jet skiing, or water skiing. There is also a boat ramp with public access to make life easier.

Whether you need an SUV that can bring your boat to Lake Dunlap, a car to load up with groceries at Rita’s, or a minivan to take your family to a meal at Freiheit Country Store – Nissan of New Braunfels is here to help. Find the perfect vehicle to meet your needs at our dealership.